PIERCEBRIDGE BRIDGE

"...Piercebridge, a pretty village under whose green lies a third-century Roman camp covering eleven acres, one of the largest in Britain."

The Companion Guide to Northumbria. Edward Grierson. 1976

An old bridge, possibly originally from the 13th century, but rebuilt in the early 16th century and widened in 1781. A handsome stone bridge taking the B6275 road from Piercebridge into North Yorkshire, it has long been an important crossing point since Roman times and has been used by armies heading north. During the English Civil War an engagement took place at the bridge in 1642 with the Royalist forces carrying the day, the Tees not seeming to have been a lucky river for Parliamentary forces, (see the Yarm Road Bridge). General Cumberland and his army crossed here too, during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. The bridge suffered considerable damage during the severe floods of 1771 when traffic reverted to using the nearby ford until repairs were completed. The Roman bridge was downstream of the present bridge which is Grade 2 listed.

Piercebridge is an old village and a Roman settlement existed here. The George Hotel on the south side of the Tees has the grandfather clock which inspired the song 'My Grandfather's Clock'. There is a village green and wooded walks along the riverbanks.

Piercebridge Bridge Facts

Constructed - 16th century.
Type - 3 arches, stone.
Position: Piercebridge,County Durham.
Grid Ref: NZ 211 156

Piercebridge Bridge

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